Erratic BP

[Brooster]

Have had two bypass opps, the last one 11yrs ago. I get angina with excess activity and stress. Was on Vasotec and Antenonol and resting BP was 95-100/70 with daily activity bringing it to 120/80.
Six weeks ago I checked it at a drug store and it was 140/85. Two later checks confirmed the rise in BP from activity or stress.
Cardio did an ecg and ultra sound and did not see any further damage to my heart. Changed my meds to Altace
Yeaterday went into a store to purchase some light bulbs/paper towels,came home and put them away in the basement, Did my BP and was 145/85. This am took a shower and right after bp was 147/90
If I watch a movie, resting bp is 100/70, unless I sit on my butt, I'm walking around with hypertension
Any thoughts?
  

[Barbarella]

I don't know how low BP is suppose to be once somebody had a bypass surgery.  But your numbers are in my opinion not "erratic".  When I saw a "Hypertension Specialist" because I used to have spikes (before meds) way over 200 syst. and over 120 diast.  I'm now on meds.  I still get spikes but not over 200 anymore.  I had lots of tests to see if these BP spikes came because of a reason i.e. kidney damage, tumor on the adrenaline glands etc etc.  Everything came out normal.

This is what this Hypertension Specialist told me:  Everybody's BP even people with low BP their BP is NOT always the same throughout the day.  Working, driving in traffic, climbing stairs, carrying groceries, stress, anxiety, anger even BEING EXTREMELY HAPPY about something can raise your BP or not doing anything your BP is not always exactly the same especially in middle age and older people.  Of course he was not talking about extreme spikes like I had. High spikes like that need to be checked out what the cause.

He also told me that no BP meds will keep your BP down if you experience extreme anger, extreme anxiety (I used to suffer from that) your BP will still go up temporarely and no BP meds will prevent that.  The BP meds are to keep your BP under control on a daily basis, but will not help you in extreme cases.

Just to give you an example:  I was rushed to the ER because of severe white coat hypertension at the doc's office.  My BP was 220/160.  At the ER they gave me beta blockers (after they brought my BP down with an IV) enough beta blockers to tie me over till I see a Cardiologist.  I took the beta blockers every day, three times a day as directed, my pusle dropped to 34 bpm and when I arrived at my appointment at the Cardiologist I was so worked up with white coat hypertension and anxiety that my BP ON BETA BLOCKERS shut up to 255/140.  Cardiologist immediately ordered all kind of tests, gave me meds to calm me and bring my pressure down, and took me off the beta blockers immediately.  I'm on other BP meds now and am doing fine, no more spikes.  And was told to take my BP at home and bring in the readings, no more readings at the doctor's office.  

I totally understand that you want your numbers always be what they are when you watch TV.  I used to think that too till I saw this Hypertension Specialist who broke it all down to me and explained to me and educated me what BP is doing throughout the day even on meds.

[Brooster]

Wow, those numbers are crazy. When I had my first heart attack I remember seeing  200/140 in big red letters on my chart. For the second h/a, I was out for two days and saw a white light.
For how life affects b/p, given what's going on in our society, I'll be living with hypertension on a daily basis.
I will discuss the secondary hypertension with my gp. I have told him that I get a sharp pain in the kidney area from time to time.

[Barbarella]

When they checked my kidneys to see if it was causing my severe BP spikes I was given the 24 hr urine test that is real fun, you collect it all in a big container and then carry it to the lab, and I also had a kidney scan done, all came back normal.  That is probably what they will do to you if they check your kidneys to see if they cause your high BP.  I don't know.

Good luck.  Try not to worry about your numbers.  When I worry about my numbers they will go up even on meds.  But I know NOT worrying about the BP is easier said than done.  I'm the perfect example.